GNAT urges out-going government to co-operate

The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) on Saturday entreated the out-going government of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) not to put any impediments in the way of the in-coming government.

"Ghanaians expect a smooth hand-over and enough goodwill from the incoming government, who should be assisted and guided by our national laws, procedures and conventions to administer the affairs of the state with a free hand."

This was contained in a statement signed by Mr Paul Osei-Mensah, General Secretary of GNAT in Accra. He said one of the major challenges that the new government will face is the national economy.

"The national currency is weak, relative to other convertible currencies such as the dollar and sterling. Fiscal policy and programmes need to be re-fashioned to raise government revenue base.

Monetary policy is being conducted in a way that tends to stifle the productive sectors of the economy," the statement said. It urges Ghanaians to adopt the new political culture since democracy thrives on the acceptance of the will of the majority.

The statement said it is natural for people in high places to lose their status for a while, " but this is better than changing political leadership by force, with all the national and international embargoes that this entails." According to the statement, " in a democracy the majority must have its way, but the minority has a say."

The statement decried what it called, 'the monopolistic character of governments,' adding "We must as individuals and as groups avoid the tendency to worship our leaders that quickly turn them into unapproachable demi-gods, as this makes room for no dissent or constructive criticisms."

It urged Ghanaians to open a new chapter to make the next century a success. The statement charged the incoming government to avoid mistakes of past governments.

It mentioned some of such past mistakes as, "the use of governmental powers to reward political insiders, thereby encouraging rent-seeking behaviour and concomitantly discouraging productive activities, the acquiescence in the misappropriation of funds by political cronies, lowering the rate of public investment in infrastructure, education and healthcare.

The distribution of state jobs by political patrons to followers, especially in combination with the governments' tacit acceptance of public corruption, thus fostering incompetence, indiscipline and unpredictability in public service and state-owned enterprises and the virtual absence of the rule of law."

The statement advised the president-elect to put up a team guided by proven merit, competence and dedication more than partisan, ethnic or professional affinities and congratulated all Ghanaians for going through a successful general election.